Wardens and Vestry Leaders
Conference
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March 23, 2013, Camp Mt.
Luther
Safe Church Training
for Vestry Leaders will be the topic of this
year's Vestry Leaders Conference. The
Diocese of Central Pennsylvania is committed to
Zero Tolerance of adult sexual misconduct and/or
child abuse by any member of the clergy,
Postulants and Candidates for Holy Orders, staff
persons, or volunteers. Clergy and all other
leadership in the parish and diocesan staff need
to recognize the dynamics of their relationships
and the potential for harm and abuse.
Bishop David Jones, Bishop in
Residence, will join us during the day.
Vestry leaders will have time to network with
their counterparts from across the diocese during
the lunch break. All vestry leaders are encouraged
to attend the training and help the diocese uphold
our high standards of safety and health for all
people.
Register online here.
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2012 Parochial Reports Due
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 By now, all parishes should have
received a mailing from The Episcopal Church’s
Office of General Convention containing
information about filing the 2012 Parochial
Report. This report is required for all parishes
and missions in the Church. Diocesan canons
require that the parochial report be filed no
later than March 1st each year. Moreover, timely
filing of the parochial report is required to
certify deputations to Diocesan Convention. Failure
to file this report in a timely manner may
result in loss of vote for Convention
business.
Whenever possible, please
file the reports online by logging in with
the User ID and PIN provided in the material you
received from the Office of General Convention. If
you have any questions or need assistance in
completing the report, please contact The Rev. Dr. David
Zwifka, Director of Finance and Diocesan
Administration, at your earliest convenience.
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Reminder: Diocesan-Wide Online
Lenten Study
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Explore the topic of calling and
discuss what it means to live out our vocation as
Christians with people from around our diocese
(and even elsewhere). This year, the Diocese of
Central Pennsylvania will offer a free online
Lenten study of Caroline Westerhoff's book
"Calling: A Song for the Baptized," led by
diocesan webmaster Lesley Carter.
Participants will have the opportunity to post
questions and reflections on the book in a
special, private online discussion forum beginning
on Ash Wednesday (Feb. 13). Regular blog
reflections on the topic of vocation are also
available. To register, please email Lesley Carter
with your name, the email address you wish to use
for study communications, and the name of your
church. (This book is available from Amazon, from Cokesbury, or used
from sellers such as half.com
or abebooks.com.)
We are also seeking guest writers for the blog
reflections - if you would like to write 200-300
words on the topic of calling (note: you are not
required to read the book to submit a reflection,
although it would be helpful), please email
Lesley Carter.
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Convention
2013 News
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The 143rd Diocesan Convention
will take place at the Ramada Conference Center,
State College. Registration will open online March
1, 2013.
Convention hosts: Lancaster
Convocation, The Rev. Jonathan Currier and Mrs.
Judy Donnelly (conveners)
Friday evening, June 7 -
Briefings and discussions
Saturday, June 8 - Business session
The featured keynote speaker is The
Rt. Rev. Sean Rowe, bishop of the Diocese of
Northwestern Pennsylvania.
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Episcopal Church Women!
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The Central Pennsylvania ECW and
Diocese of Central Pennsylvania Daughters of the
King are pleased to announce a Lenten Day of
Prayer. The Rev. Susan Claytor of All Saints
Church, Hershey will lead us in Lessons from Women
in the Bible. The day will include lessons and
quiet times where attendees are invited to
participate in optional activities or quiet study.
Lunch will be provided. This day is open to all –
we encourage you to invite friend and neighbors.
More information is in the brochure or
can be obtained from Bonnie Chambers for
details and questions.
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Book Review: Total Forgiveness
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Thelma Strauss of Hope Church,
Manheim, writes a review of
"Total Forgiveness" by R.T. Kendall. Read more reviews here.
To submit a book review for the diocesan website,
contact Linda Arguedas.
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WE Are the Diocese...
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Read about new and exciting
things that make us proud to be the Episcopal
Church in Central Pennsylvania.
Bishop Baxter is on sabbatical
until May 31, 2013. We are delighted to have the
Rt. Rev. David Jones as our Bishop in Residence
until the return of Bishop Baxter. Please welcome
him to our diocese. Find out more about him
here.
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Stewardship
Workshops for Church Leaders
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Attention church leaders -
stewardship workshops will be offered on April 6
at St. Thomas, Lancaster, and on April 13 at
Trinity Pro-Cathedral, Williamsport.
Workshops will include Creating
the Engaged Church, Encouraging the Second Visit,
and The Spirituality of Stewardship. Learn more here.
For more information please email Mr. Tom
Gemmel.
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Dates to Remember
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- Safe Church Training, Feb. 23,
St. Edward's, Lancaster
- Parochial reports are due by
March 1.
- Middle School Lenten
Retreat, March 15-17, Camp Mt. Luther
- Godly Play - March 16, St.
Andrew's, State College
- Safe Church Training
for Vestry Leaders - March 23, Camp Mt.
Luther (Vestry Leaders Conference). Register online here.
- Diocesan Clergy Renewal of Vows
- March 26, St. Stephen's Cathedral,
Harrisburg. The Rt. Rev. Stacy F. Sauls,
Chief Operating Officer for the Episcopal
Church, will be guest preacher and speaker.
- Diocesan Convention (business
session) is June 8.
- Bishop's Cup Golf Tournament is
June 17 at Iron Valley Golf Club.
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Remember
in Your Prayers
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The Ven. Molly Solbak,
Archdeacon for Deacons, who continues her recovery
from hip surgery.
The Rev. Kim Brooks, long-term supply
priest at St. Stephen's Mt. Carmel and Holy
Trinity, Shamokin, who is at home recovering from
extensive leg surgery to repair damage sustained
in a recent fall.
The complete diocesan
prayer list is available on the website.
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